Jacqueline Jossa: My daughter swam up to me

Jacqueline Jossa says her daughter Ella Selina "swam up" to her after she delivered her baby in a birthing pool

Jacqueline Jossa claims her daughter "swam up" to her when she arrived at the end of the actress' water birth.

The 'EastEnders' actress and her partner Dan Osborne welcomed baby Ella Selina into the world last week and the 22-year-old beauty was so pleased she decided to deliver the tot in a birthing pool because it helped her with her labour and was more serene for Elle.

Describing the moment Ella entered the world, Jacqueline said: "It was like she just swam up to us. She was given straight to me and it was just amazing.

"I remember thinking, 'Wow I did good, I can't believe I actually just did that.'

"Then I saw her big tuft of dark hair, I could hear Daniel crying behind me but it was strange, it was like I couldn't even cry as I was so shocked.

"I was just looking at her thinking, 'What the Hell? That's my baby. And she looks just like me!' IT was amazing."

Afterwards, Jacqueline was pleased she decided to have a water birth because it helped her cope with the birth.

In a joint interview with the new issue of OK! magazine, the actress said: "Having a water birth was amazing. I can't imagine not having it. I don't know how people can have a baby on a bed. I don't see how that works gravity-wise."

Dan added: "She was in the water for about four hours. Jackie's hands and feet were like a prune and my hands were wrinkled up."

Jacqueline also revealed her screams during the labour helped her when it came the final stages when Ella was ready to enter the world.

She explained: "I moaned and groaned the whole way through but during the last part when I was pushing, I felt the need to scream to get the power to do it. I knew I'd scream as I'm dramatic. I thought I'd be crying and screaming but it was more like a manly scream.

"Dan was holding on to me, squeezing my arms and helping me push as well."